Paulownia FORTUNEI

Paulownia FORTUNEI - Fortune's empress tree, White paulownia, Princess tree, Empress tree, Dragon tree.

Paulownia is a genus of extraordinary flowering trees in the family Paulowniaceae, comprising about 7-8 species. It is native to Eastern and Southeastern Asia, particularly China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Laos. This plant was discovered in China by German botanists Philipp Franz von Siebold and Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini, who brought seeds of the plant to the Netherlands in the 1830s.

Paulownias are deciduous trees characterized by fast-growing straight trunks that reach an impressive height in a short period. The roots are powerful and deep, and the crown is spreading. The smooth trunk bark is gray in color. Leaves are large, cordate, arranged on long petioles. The large leaf blade has an entire margin.

Large violet-lilac, and sometimes almost white, bell-shaped flowers form paniculate inflorescences at the ends of shoots. The fruits are hard capsules with numerous small winged seeds.

Paulownia fortunei is a deciduous tree with a straight, branching trunk growing up to 13 m (43 ft) tall. Leaves are large, heart-shaped, light green. Flower buds form in late summer, overwinter, and bloom the following spring before or during leaf emergence with lilac, dark-speckled, tubular, fragrant flowers gathered in inflorescences. The fruits - broadly ovate capsules with numerous winged seeds - persist on the tree throughout the entire winter. It enters fruiting age at 4-5 years of age.

For better germination, seeds are kept beforehand for 7-10 days on a cotton pad moistened with water and the addition of stimulants (SUPERthrive, HB-101, Aminozol, Epin, or Zircon), then surface-sown without burying in plug trays filled with fertile soil, moistened with a spray bottle, placed in a propagator or covered with film, and germinated in light but not in direct sun at a temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). Seedlings need ventilation. Overwatering and drying out of the sowings must be avoided.

Seedlings appear within 5 weeks. After emergence, the film must be removed more often so the plants become accustomed to ambient room conditions and fresh air. Once several leaves have appeared, seedlings must be pricked out into individual pots to ensure proper development. Plants grown from seed bloom in their 2nd-3rd year.

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Paulownia thrives in well-lit locations. One should choose an open area with plenty of sunlight. This promotes active growth and the development of an attractive crown.

The plant prefers a warm climate and tolerates moderate frosts well. The optimal temperature for active growth is in the range from 20 °C to 30 °C (68 °F to 86 °F). It is important to provide the tree with protection against severe frosts, especially during the cold winter months, to prevent damage to tender shoots and the root system.

It requires regular watering, especially during periods of drought. It is necessary to keep the soil moist while avoiding excess moisture, which can lead to root rot. It is important to note that young plants are more sensitive to moisture deficits.

It prefers loose, well-drained soils. Soil should be enriched with organic fertilizer to support healthy growth. Excellent drainage must be provided to avoid standing water around the roots.